{Mithras, god of the Morning*}[27th July 1990]

[Redbook7:170-173][19900727:2338b]{Mithras, god of the Morning*}[27th July 1990]

19900727.2338

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ref. T[imes] L[iterary] S[upplement] 19900727-0802:807ff ‘Star Qualities’ by John D. North.

If I had been David Ulansey, author of ‘The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries: Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World’, the book under review, I think I should have looked for the bull-slaying Mithras not in ** Perseus, but in ** Auriga, the Charioteer, whom I have previously*** identified (speculatively) with Dionysius.

But I like the sound of North’s horological explanation of the standard bull-slaying tableau: an hourly astronomical clock given by the setting of the major stars in each sign, at latitude 36.87 (Cilicia).

*{(Kipling, I think)}****

**[the constellation]

***ref Vol …[[Redbook5:358][19880924:1235]{Auriga}[24th September 1988]].

****[Yes:

'MITHRAS, God of the Morning, our trumpets waken the Wall!

"Rome is above the Nations, but Thou art over all!"

Now as the names are answered, and the guards are marched away,

Mithras, also a soldier, give us strength for the day!

Mithras, God of the Noontide, the heather swims in the heat,

Our helmets scorch our foreheads; our sandals burn our feet.

Now in the ungirt hour; now ere we blink and drowse,

Mithras, also a soldier, keep us true to our vows!

Mithras, God of the Sunset, low on the Western main,

Thou descending immortal, immortal to rise again!

Now when the watch is ended, now when the wine is drawn,

Mithras, also a soldier, keep us pure till the dawn!

Mithras, God of the Midnight, here where the great bull dies,

Look on Thy children in darkness. Oh take our sacrifice!

Many roads Thou hast fashioned: all of them lead to the Light,

Mithras, also a soldier, teach us to die aright!'

]

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